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COLORADO REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
— October 21-November 3, 2015
Vesta, a Denver-based com-
mercial interiors general con-
tractor, expanded into multi-
family housing with the launch
of a dedicated multifamily divi-
sion.
“Thishasbeenanexcitingyear
for Vesta in terms of growth,”
said Kristen Cummings CEO of
Vesta. “The Vesta Multi-Family
Divisionwas a natural next step
for us. We see great potential in
the multifamily residential mar-
ket. We look forward to offer-
ing multifamily residential cli-
ents a more comprehensive and
streamlined experience aligned
with the same high standards
and tightly managed schedules
we provide in the commercial
interiors arena.”
Residential projects currently
underway with Vesta’s Multi-
Family Division include Ash-
ford East 88 in Thornton and
Rosemount Ridge in Denver.
ToddSolheimwill serve as the
field Manager for Vesta’s Multi-
Family Division in Colorado
and will oversee demolition,
renovation and maintenance of
all Vesta multifamily projects.
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Construction, Design & Engineering News
Colorado State University-
Pueblo recently celebrated the
opening of the first new class-
room building on campus in
decades.
Hord Coplan Macht designed
the 39,000-square-foot building,
which was built by GH Phipps
Construction Cos. The building,
situated on a rise on the west
campus grounds near the Chem-
istry Building and Library/Aca-
demic Resources Center features
nine classrooms, faculty offices,
meeting rooms, two large, tiered
lecture classrooms, collaborative
learning labs, public spaces and
a coffee lounge with plazas ori-
ented to maximize views of the
mountains.
The $12.8 million project also
created the beginnings of a new
west pedestrian spine that runs
parallel to the campus’ existing
main thoroughfare, which helps
connect it to the rest of campus.
Wember Inc. served as the
owner’s representative on the
building.
The General Classroom Build-
ing is designed to accommo-
date the latest technology for
in-classroom and distance learn-
ing. It includes one large lec-
ture classroom that seats 135
students while incorporating
distance-learning technology.
The technology includes a
video camera that tracks the
movements of the lecturer for
constant visibility to distant
learners. In addition, a large
monitor is positioned for the
lecturer to see whom they are
teaching to remotely. Each
lecture classroom has been
designed to accommodate small
group active learning in addi-
tion to lecture-style learning,
with one classroom designed
specifically to optimize small
group active learning. This
classroom includes six round
tables that seat up to eight stu-
dents at each table with a dedi-
cated laptop wired to a dedi-
cated wall-mounted TV moni-
tor. This design allows groups
to present projects to the entire
class, with each table project-
ing screens simultaneously. The
active classroom was included
in the overall program in order
to instruct future teachers about
new and innovative teaching
methodologies.
The project is projected to
earn LEED Platinum certifica-
tion based on the combination
of its sustainable design and
the university’s existing on-site
photovoltaic renewable energy,
according to GH Phipps. In
2008, the university dedicated a
1.2-megawatt on-campus solar
array, which serves to offset 10
percent of the General Class-
room Building’s annual energy
cost in addition to offsetting
many other campus electrical
costs. This 10 percent offset is
projected to earn the project
eight points under LEED 2009
for NewConstruction andMajor
Renovation Energy and Atmo-
sphere credit 2: On-Site Renew-
able energy. The eight points the
team is projecting to earn in this
category is 10 percent of the total
80 points needed for Platinum
certification, illustrating the
impact of the university’s com-
mitment to renewable energy
and sustainable design, the firm
added.
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Photographs courtesy of Hord Coplan Macht
The 39,000-square-foot building is the first new classroom building on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus in decades.
The building features the latest technology for in-classroom and distance
learning.
RTA Architects was recognized
with a Downtown Star award at
the 18th annual Downtown Part-
nership Breakfast held by the
Downtown Partnership, the lead
organization serving as a catalytic
champion fordowntownColorado
Springs.
Downtown Star awards are pre-
sented to people and groups that
have made outstanding commit-
ments to a thriving downtown.
Awards are given in three catego-
ries: individual, civil servant and
business or organization.
RTA Architects has completed
a number of architectural projects
and recentlywas selected as project
lead and architect of record for the
new Pikes Peak Summit House.
The firmalso offers a free, 10-week,
after-school Introduction to Archi-
tecture course open to area high
school students. This year more
than 20 students learned about site
analysis, history, space planning,
programming, architectural draw-
ing, interiors, construction, engi-
neering and more from RTA staff
and community guest speakers.
“Not only does the programpro-
vide kids with a realistic exposure
to the industry but for some stu-
dents it is their first taste of down-
town Colorado Springs,” said
RTA’s Stuart Coppedge. “Through
the class they learn about the value
of a vibrant downtown through
architecture and design of the pub-
lic realm.”
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W.E. O’Neil Construction Com-
pany of Colorado, in conjunction
with Sparc+Architects and owner
Sonic Automotive Inc., broke
ground on the new BMW of
Downtown Denver dealership at
1040 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver.
The site will soon be home to
the two-story, 71,875-square-foot
vehicle repair and sales facility
with a second-story car display
mezzanine.
“We’re very proud of what
we’re building here. Not only as
it will fill a niche for people who
love fine automobiles, but because
the new BMW of Downtown
Denver will provide employment
for people here in our communi-
ty,” said Bryan Haarhues, general
manager of the existing Murray
BMW, which will be rebranded
as BMW of Downtown Denver.
“The new facility will truly be a
showplace befitting a brand like
BMW. The spectacular showroom
will be two stories with cars dis-
played on both levels. And the
service area will be roughly dou-
ble its current size.”
The groundbreaking initiated
the demolition of existing struc-
tures and the beginning of addi-
tional site work in preparation for
the BMW dealership, which will
offer a variety of services beyond
retail sales. It is slated to have a
sales floor, reception and wait-
ing area, individual offices and
maintenance bays.Acar-sized ele-
vator also will be constructed to
transport vehicles to and from the
second-floor display mezzanine.
W.E. O’Neil is currently under
construction on Sonic’s Mercedes-
Benz dealership on Colorado
Boulevard.
The W.E. O’Neil team assigned
to the BMW of Downtown Den-
ver dealership are project man-
ager Brad Benefield, superinten-
dent Mark Holtmann and project
engineers Beth Mikon and David
Taylor.
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Sparc+ Architects
The 71,875-square-foot BMW of Downtown Denver will be located along Colorado Boulevard.
